Spy Shots: 2009 Cadillac CTS-V

"Inside Line has scooped up some exclusive, fully-naked shots of the Detroit-bound 2009 Cadillac CTS-V, and we're pleased to report that the super duper version of Caddy's excellent CTS is looking good. In the V-Series tradition, the grillework is all mesh, making the car instantly recognizable when viewed from up front. A deeper, aggressive front air dam, sill extensions, nice-looking 10-spoke wheels and a revised rear fascia are also part of the package. Larger exhaust outlets and a sizable but well-integrated hood bulge hint at the muscle the V packs underhood. The engine specifics are still being speculated, with a normally aspirated LS7 or blown 6.2L V8 being bandied about. Either way, expect around 525 horses from whatever winds up sitting under that bulge when the car's rolled out at the Detroit show next month. We'll be there, and we're pretty stoked."

"Gone is the egg-crate grille that gives the standard CTS such a distinctive look up front. In its place is a two-piece trapezoidal mesh grille much like the setup on the original CTS-V. We suspect the mesh design does a better job of feeding fresh air to the engine, as Cadillac has boasted about borrowing the design of the standard CTS's grille from the Sixteen concept...Of course, the big question still remains: What's under that hood? Our best sources have been telling us to expect a normally aspirated LS7 V8, but a recent interview with Cadillac General Manager Jim Taylor seems to confirm the other most talked-about option — a supercharged 6.2-liter V8. Either way, the 2009 CTS-V will have roughly 525 horsepower, a figure that will put it slightly ahead of direct competitors like the Audi S6, BMW M5 and Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG...Taylor also confirms that the 2009 Cadillac CTS-V will offer the choice of a manual or automatic transmission — both six-speeds. This should help broaden the appeal of the CTS-V, which has been a sales disappointment so far. Look for the official unveil of the 2009 Cadillac CTS-V at the 2008 Detroit Auto Show in January."

That car is HOT!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------You should be buying a manual, because driving a muscle car without that visceral command you get from using your left foot to connect that massive engine to the wheels is pointless.